Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially reverted the Express Entry application deadline from 90 days to 60 days, effective June 29, 2021. This adjustment marks a shift from a temporary COVID-19 measure originally introduced in March 2020 to provide applicants more time amid global disruptions.
Prior to the pandemic, Express Entry candidates had 60 days to submit their application for permanent residency after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Due to service shutdowns and international travel restrictions caused by COVID-19, the IRCC extended the application period to 90 days. That extension is now being rolled back as part of the department’s efforts to streamline processing and boost application volumes.
According to IRCC, returning to a 60-day timeframe will support faster immigration processing and help manage the growing backlog of applications. The department cited internal data showing that the majority of candidates—about 57%—were already submitting their applications within 60 days, even when given 90.
It’s important to note that the change only applies to candidates who receive ITAs on or after June 29, 2021. Those who were invited before that date will still have 90 days to apply. This ensures a fair and transparent transition for applicants who planned their timelines under the previous rules.
Some COVID-19-related accommodations still remain in place for certain individuals. These include applicants facing ongoing public health challenges, those waiting for Confirmation of Permanent Residency (COPR), and candidates already in the application process. Additional support measures are available through IRCC for those affected by the pandemic.
The policy update comes alongside other notable travel and immigration developments in Canada. Just days earlier, the government reopened the borders to fully vaccinated travelers, allowed COPR holders to enter the country, and resumed direct flights from Pakistan.
This return to pre-pandemic processing times signals Canada’s renewed focus on meeting its ambitious immigration targets in 2021 and beyond. As the country begins to emerge from the pandemic, these changes mark an important step forward in restoring regular immigration procedures.
Maple News will continue to provide timely updates on developments surrounding Canadian immigration policies and Express Entry changes.